The Acura TL is an excellent car, and duly impressed my family when I chauffeured them to a Father's Day dinner. The TL manages to blend impeccable comfort with enthusiastic performance. One moment, the TL is a subdued large sedan with a comfy ride, gentle transmission shifts, and slick styling. The next it's a snarling sports sedan, with prodigious acceleration from its V-6, tight steering, and a transmission that's eager to jump between ratios.
TLs equipped with the Technology Package have an ELS/Panasonic 440-watt, ten-speaker surround-sound system. It was developed with input from sound engineer Elliot Scheiner, who's won six Grammy awards. I have won zero Grammys, but I think the ELS system is one of the best car-audio setups I've ever heard. From the deep bass of Tiesto, to the crisp vocals of Lauryn Hill, to string arrangements by Mark Ronson, every track I played from my iPod sounded fantastic.
Jake Holmes, Associate Web EditorWow, what a difference a transmission can make. I feel that the six-speed automatic better suits the TL than does the six-speed manual we tested a few weeks ago. The TL is not as athletic as some of its competition (the Volvo S60 and the BMW 3 Series immediately come to mind), so the automatic seems more appropriate. This is really a car for those looking for a sporty sedan, not a true sports sedan.
Jake Holmes, Associate Web EditorWow, what a difference a transmission can make. I feel that the six-speed automatic better suits the TL than does the six-speed manual we tested a few weeks ago. The TL is not as athletic as some of its competition (the Volvo S60 and the BMW 3 Series immediately come to mind), so the automatic seems more appropriate. This is really a car for those looking for a sporty sedan, not a true sports sedan.
Compared to the old five-speed automatic, the new six-speed makes the most of the TL's great 3.7-liter V-6. It provides smoother shifts, slightly better fuel economy, and a better arrangement of ratios that help keep the engine within its power band. Along with the more-refined schnoz, it competes the package to make the TL the luxury sedan Acura has wanted it to be. In many ways, it is a more sporting alternative to the Lexus ES350, which is one of that brand's top sellers.
Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor
2012 Acura TL SH-AWD AdvanceBase price (with destination): $45,970
Price as tested: $45,970
Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor
2012 Acura TL SH-AWD AdvanceBase price (with destination): $45,970
Price as tested: $45,970
Standard Equipment:
3.7-liter SOHC 24-valve V-6 engine
6-speed automatic transmission
SH-AWD system
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Vehicle stability assist
Tire pressure monitoring system
XM satellite radio
MP3/auxiliary audio input jack
USB audio interface
Heated front seats
Bluetooth connectivity
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Power windows/locks/mirrors
Auto-dimming reaview mirror
18-inch wheels
Power moonroof with tilt
Acura navigation system with voice recognition
Rearview camera
Acura/ELS surround sound system with 10 speakers and AM/FM/DVD-A, CD, DTS Dolby Digital Pro Logic II
Hard disk drive
Push-button ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Blind spot information system
Ventilated front seats
19-inch alloy wheels
3.7-liter SOHC 24-valve V-6 engine
6-speed automatic transmission
SH-AWD system
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Vehicle stability assist
Tire pressure monitoring system
XM satellite radio
MP3/auxiliary audio input jack
USB audio interface
Heated front seats
Bluetooth connectivity
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Power windows/locks/mirrors
Auto-dimming reaview mirror
18-inch wheels
Power moonroof with tilt
Acura navigation system with voice recognition
Rearview camera
Acura/ELS surround sound system with 10 speakers and AM/FM/DVD-A, CD, DTS Dolby Digital Pro Logic II
Hard disk drive
Push-button ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Blind spot information system
Ventilated front seats
19-inch alloy wheels
